Two months after storming the nation during the NCAA tournament, Caitlin Clark’s star power appears to be alive and away from the hardwood.
The mega-popular Iowa star and reigning Naismith Player of the Year announced his presence in a big way on Saturday as a special guest for the MiLB game between the Iowa Cubs and the Columbus Clippers in Des Moines, Iowa.
As the state’s most popular athlete, fans are expected to flock to see Clark, whose attendance at the game also includes a meet-and-greet and throwing of the ceremonial first pitch. While the strong turnout was definitely what got the Cubs going, the large crowd before the game was proof positive that Clark’s name has a way of drawing crowds.
Video shared on Twitter showed an endless line filled with Clark fans circling the Cubs Principal Park home before Saturday’s game. KCCI’s Scott Reister saidfans started lining up as early as 6 a.m. to get in, despite the fact that first pitch wasn’t scheduled until 12 hours later at 6:08 p.m.
We continue! He was as nice and friendly as ever. #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/7lreeiX1eM
– Scott Reister (@scottreister) June 3, 2023
Because of his status as one of the top players in men’s and women’s college basketball, Clark should be used to being mobbed by fans. But who knew that his name alone could transform what could have been a run-of-the-mill, minor league baseball game into a stage for him to show off his rockstar status?
Needless to say, Clark, who is also a two-time unanimous first-team All-American, will have plenty of support this fall when he returns to Iowa for his senior season.